1124 Prophecy of Daniel
27 But after the old men had spoken, the ser-
vants were greatly ashamed: for never had there
been any such word said of Susanna. And on the
next day,
28 When the people were come to Joakim, her
husband, the two elders also came full of wicked
device against Susanna, to put her to death.
29 And they said before the people: Send to
Susanna, daughter of Helcias, the wife of Joakim.
And presently they sent.
30 And she came with her parents, and chil-
dren and all her kindred.
31 Now Susanna was exceeding delicate, and
beautiful to behold.
32 But those wicked men commanded that her
face should be uncovered, (for she was covered)
that so at least they might be satisfied with her
beauty.
33 Therefore her friends, and all her acquain-
tance wept.
34 But the two elders rising up in the midst
of the people, laid their hands upon her head.
35 And she weeping, looked kup to heaven,
for her heart had confidence in the Lord.
36 And the elders said: As we walked in the
orchard alone, this woman came in with two
maids, and shut the doors of the orchard, ans
sent away the maids from her.
37 Then a young man that was there hid came
to her, and lay with her.
38 But we that were in a corner of the orchard,
seeing this wickedness, ran up to them, and we
saw them lie together.
39 And him indeed we could not take, because
he was stronger than us, and opening the doors,
he leaped out:
40 But having taken this woman, we asked
who the young man was, but she would not tell
us: of this thing we are witnesses.
41 The multitude believed them, as being the
elders, and the judges of the people, and they
condemned her to death.
42 Then Susanna cried out with a loud voice,
and said: O eternal God, who knowest hidden
things, who knowest all things before they come
to pass,
43 Thou knowest that they have borne false
witness against me: and behold I must die,
whereas I have done none of these things, which
these men have maliciously forged against me.
44 And the Lord heard her voice.
45 And when she was led to be put to death,
the Lord raised up the holy spirit of a young boy,
whose name was Daniel:
46 And he cried out with a loud voice: I am
clear from the blood of this woman.
47 Then all the people turning themselves to-
wards him, said: What meaneth this word that
thou hast spoken?
48 But he standing in the midst of them, said:
Are ye so foolish, ye children of Israel, that with-
out examination or knowledge of the truth, you
have condemned a daughter of Israel?
49 Return to judgment, for they have borne
false witness against her.
50 So all the people turned again in haste,
and the old men said to him: Come, and sit thou
down among us, and shew it us: seeing God hath
given thee the honour of old age.
51 And Daniel said to the people: Separate
these two far from one another, and I will exam-
ine them.
52 So when they were put asunder one from
the other, he called one of them, and said to him:
O thou that art grown old in evil days, now are
thy sins come out, which thou hast committed
before:
53 In judging unjust judgments, oppressing
the innocent, and letting the guilty to go free,